be consumed with fire:" as though he should say, as gold is wont to be fined; so shall the whole world be purified with fire, and be brought to his full perfection. The lesser world, which is man, following the same, shall likewise be delivered front corruption and change. And so for man this greater world (which for his sake was first created) shall at length be renewed: and be clad with another hue, much more pleasant and beautiful.

Master. What then remaineth?

Scholar. The last and general doom. For Christ shall come at whose voice all the dead shall rise again, perfect and sound, both in body and soul. The whole world shall behold him sitting in the royal throne of his majesty and after the examination of every man's conscience, the last sentence shall be pronounced. Then the children of God shall be in perfect possession of that kingdom of freedom from death, and of everlasting life, which was prepared for them, before the foundations of the world were laid. And they shall reign with Christ for ever. But the ungodly, that believed not, shall be thrown from thence into everlasting fire, appointed for the devil and his angels.

Master. Thou hast said enough of the again rising of the dead. Now, remaineth that thou speak of the holy church; whereof I would very fain hear thy opinion?

Scholar. I will rehearse that in few words shortly, which the holy Scriptures set out at large and plentifully. Afore that the Lord God had made the heaven and earth, he determined to have for himself a most beautiful kingdom and holy commonwealth. The Apostles and the ancient fathers, that wrote in Greek, called it Exxxoia, in English a congregation or âs sembly into the which he hath admitted an infinite number of men, that should all be subject to one

king, as their sovereign and only one head: him we call Christ, which is as much to say, as Anointed. For the high bishops, and kings among the Jews (who in figure betokened Christ, whom the Lord anointed with his holy Spirit), were wont by God's appointment at their consecration to have material oil poured on them.

To the furnishing of this commonwealth belong all they, as many as do truly fear, honour, and call upon God, wholly applying their mind to holy and godly living and all those that, putting all their hope and trust in him, do assuredly look for the bliss of everlasting life. But as many, as are in this faith stedfast, were forechosen, predestinated, and appointed out to everlasting life, before the world was made. Witness hereof, they have within in their hearts the Spirit of Christ, the author, earnest, and infallible pledge of their faith. Which faith only is able to perceive the mysteries of God: only bringeth peace unto the heart: only taketh hold on the righteousness, that is in Christ Jesus.

Master. Doth then the Spirit alone, and faith (sleep we never so soundly, or stand we never so reckless and slothful), so work all things for us, as without any help of our own to carry us idle up to heaven?

Scholar. I use, Master, as you have taught me, to make a difference between the cause and the effects. The first, principal, and most perfect cause of our justifying and salvation, is the goodness and love of God: whereby he chose us for his, before he made the world. After that, God granteth us to be called by the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, when the Spirit of the Lord is poured into us by whose guiding and governance we be led to settle our trust in God, and hope for the performance of all his promises. With this choice is joined, as

companion, the mortifying of the old man; that is, of our affection and lust.

From the same Spirit also cometh our sanctification, the love of God and of our neighbour, justice, and uprightness of life: finally, to say all in sum, whatsoever is in us, or may be done of us, pure, honest, true, and good: that altogether springeth out of this most pleasant root, from this most plentiful fountain, the goodness, love, choice, and unchangeable purpose of God. He is the cause, the rest are the fruits and effects. Yet are also the goodness, choice, and Spirit of God, and Christ himself, causes conjoined and coupled each with other: which may be reckoned among the principal causes of our salvation. As oft therefore as we use to say, that we are made righteous and saved by only faith, it is meant thereby, that faith, or rather trust alone, doth lay hand upon, understand, and perceive our righteousmaking to be given us of God freely: that is to say, by no deserts of our own, but by the free grace of the Almighty Father.

Moreover, faith doth engender in us the love of our neighbour and such works, as God is pleased withal. For if it be a lively and true faith, quickened by the Holy Ghost, she is the mother of all good saying and doing. By this short tale is it evident, whence and by what means we attain to be made righteous. For not by the worthiness of our deservings, were we either heretofore chosen, or long ago saved but by the only mercy of God, and pure grace of Christ our Lord: whereby we were in him made to those good works, that God hath appointed for us to walk in. And although good works cannot deserve to make us righteous before God: yet do they so cleave unto faith, that neither can faith be found without them, nor good works be any where without faith.

Master. I like very well this short declaration of faith and works: for Paul plainly teacheth the same. But canst thou yet further depaint me out that congregation, which thou callest a kingdom, or commonwealth of Christians: and so set it out before mine eyes, that it may severally and plainly be known asunder from each other fellowship of men?

Scholar. I will prove how well I can do it. Your pleasure is, Master, as I take it, that I point you out some certain congregation, that may be seen.

Master. That it is indeed: and so it shall be good for you to do.

Scholar. That congregation is nothing else but a certain multitude of men; which, wheresoever they be, profess the pure and upright learning of Christ, and that in such sort as it is faithfully set forth in the holy Testament by the Evangelists and Apostles: which in all points are governed and ruled by the laws and statutes of their king and high bishop, Christ, in the bond of charity: which use his holy mysteries, that are commonly called sacraments, with such pureness and simplicity (as touching their nature and substance) as the Apostles of Christ used, and left behind in writing.

The marks therefore of this church are; first, pure preaching of the Gospel: then brotherly love, out of which, as members out of all one body, springeth good will of each to other: thirdly, upright and uncorrupted use of the Lord's sacraments, according to the ordinance of the Gospel: last of all, brotherly correction and excommunication, or banishing those out of the church, that will not amend their lives. This mark the holy fathers termed discipline. This is that same church, that is grounded upon the assured rock, Jesus Christ, and upon trust in him. This is that same church, which Paul calleth the pillar and upholding stay of truth. To this church belong

the keys, wherewith heaven is locked and unlocked: for that is done by the ministration of the word: whereunto properly appertaineth the power to bind and loose; to hold for guilty, and forgive sins. So that whosoever believeth the Gospel preached in this church, he shall be saved: but whosoever believeth not, he shall be damned.

Master. Now, would I fain hear thy belief of the Holy Ghost.

Scholar. I confess him to be the third person of the Holy Trinity. And since he is equal with the Father and the Son, and of the very same nature, that he ought equally to be worshipped with them both. Master. Why is he called holy?

Scholar. Not only for his own holiness: but for that by him are made holy the chosen of God, and members of Christ. And therefore have the Scriptures termed him the Spirit of sanctification or making holy,

Master. Wherein consisteth this sanctification?

Scholar. First, we be new gotten by his inward motion. And therefore said Christ, we "must be new born of water, and of the Spirit." Then by his inspiration are we adopted, and as it were by choice made the children of God. For which cause he is not causelessly called the Spirit of adoption. By his light, are we enlightened to understand God's mysteries. By his judgment, are sins pardoned and retained. By his power, is the flesh with her lusts kept down and tamed. By his pleasure, are the manifold gifts dealt among the holy. Finally, by his means, shall our mortal bodies be relived. Therefore, in the author of so great gifts, we do not without a cause believe, honour, and call upon him.

Master. Well, thou hast now said sufficiently of the Holy Ghost. But this would I hear of thee, why